Sports

Rockies in need of a leadoff hitter

Blackmon, Dickerson and Stubbs all in mix for spot

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon led the Pacific Coast League in walks before his call-up last season. (Barry Gutierrez / Associated Press)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — —The last thing desired is the first out.

An effective major-league leadoff hitter no longer has to run well. He doesn't need to steal bases. But he needs to reach base consistently to provide run-scoring opportunities.

The Rockies begin Friday's Cactus League opener with one big question mark in their lineup: Who will hit leadoff?

Dexter Fowler is gone, traded in the offseason. While Fowler could be maddening because of his streaks and strikeouts, he filled the role at the top of the order, posting a .378 on-base percentage, 50 points higher than the major-league average last season.

For Colorado's offense to improve this season, it must do a better job of maximizing its resources. Manager Walt Weiss is moving his chips to the center of the table by hitting reigning National League batting champion Michael Cuddyer in the No. 2 spot.

Cuddyer's value that high in the order could be compromised if the Rockies don't have an effective leadoff hitter getting on base in front of him.

"I am not saying it's putting all eggs in one basket, but there's a good chance with the guys we've got that you will score a lot of runs," outfielder Charlie Blackmon said. "It amplifies its importance."

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The Rockies appear to have viable options at the top of the order. Blackmon, Drew Stubbs and Corey Dickerson will get first crack. Last season, the trio hit .284 in 201 at-bats when they batted leadoff, with an OBP around .340.

It was, however, a small sample size: 60 games. It presents an interesting decision for Weiss as he looks for a table setter. Should he let one player run with the job, as he did Fowler, or employ a platoon as the most efficient strategy?

"The guy's job is to get on base. But you may have to trade off a little bit for a guy with extra-base hit capability. There are a lot of different ways we can go," Weiss said. "I feel like if our guys stay healthy and are able to play 145 games, our core guys, I don't think the batting order is going to make that big of a difference."

All-Stars Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez and Cuddyer can overwhelm opponents regardless of the pieces around them. No one on the Rockies played 140 or more games last season, however, illustrating why the leadoff spot is significant.

Last fall, only three of the 10 teams that reached the playoffs had leadoff on-base percentages outside the top 13. And simple math would seem to demand an above-average hitter when that spot comes up 4.8 times per game, compared with 3.9 for the ninth spot, according to "The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball."

"Dexter was good for us, but he struck out a lot too," Gonzalez said. "We have guys who can do it. I believe our lineup is going to be better this year because of our health and younger guys improving."

Among the candidates to hit leadoff, Blackmon is the most well-rounded hitter. He learned from a major-league demotion last season.

"I was leading the (Pacific Coast League) in walks when I got called up the first time, and I struggled. You can't give those guys strike two," Blackmon said. "I worked on being more aggressive early in the count. I'd rather get a hit on the second pitch, if it's a good pitch, than take my chances on a full count."

Stubbs offers shades of Fowler's game, save for the walks. He has power and speed but has struck out in a third of his big-league at-bats. Last season, the Rockie ranked 14th in stolen bases from the leadoff spot with 24, including 14 from Fowler. Stubbs has averaged 30 stolen bases over the past four seasons.

"I am comfortable at leadoff. If that's what I am asked to do, I will make the most of it," Stubbs said.

Dickerson has hit at every level. He rarely walks but averaged an extra-base hit every 8.4 at-bats last season.

"Each guy brings something to the table," Dickerson said. "Depending on what they want, we have a lot of tools to turn this spot into a strength."

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